Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
KETONES
Common ketones:
O
O
O
3
CH
3
CCH
3
CH
3
CCH
2
CH
3
CH
3
CCH
2
CHCH
3
Acetone
metyl ethyl ketone
methyl isobutyl ketone
Manufacture:
O
catalyst
CH
3
CCH
3
CH
3
CHOHCH
3
+ H
2
acetone
isopropanol
CH
2
=CHCH
2
CH
3
+ H
2
O
CH
3
CHOHCH
2
CH
3
butylene
sec-butyl alcohol
O
catalyst
CH
3
CCH
2
CH
3
+H
2
methyl ethyl ketone
Ketones are characterized by carbonyl groups anywhere in a chain except at
the end, and the carbonyl carbon is bonded only to other carbons. Ketones are
particularly important as solvents in paints, particularly methyl ethyl ketone
and methyl isobutyl ketone. Most have a penetrating odor and are highly
flammable.
They are also important chemical intermediates. For example, acetone is
used to make methyl methacrylate (the starting material for “Plexiglas” and
“Lucite” plastics), methyl isobutyl ketone, and Bisphenol A (used in epoxy
and polycarbonate resins).
